About this book

Written by a team of leading international specialists, Behavioral Ecology of Insect Parasitoids examines the optimal behaviors that parasitoids exhibit in order to maximize long term offspring production. It is an essential reference for research scientists and students studying these fascinating insects or for anyone involved in using parasitoids in biological control programs.

This is a fascinating volume that provides a significant contribution to the literature on parasitoid insects. It goes a long way towards providing insights into numerous aspects of parasitoid behavior and will stimulate a diversity of future projects, something that should be the goal of any such text. I highly recommend Wajnberg et al. for all of those working on the biology or evolution of parasitoids. (PALAIOS, March 2, 2009) "The book has an attractive cover, useful figures (mostly graphs) and tables, and an index that includes subject matter and taxonomic names." (Ecology, January 2009) "[The book] will become indispensable both for students in basic research and workers in biological control ... and will certainly promote further progress in the field." (European Journal of Entomology, 2008) "Hopefully will engender support for young investigators to embark on field investigations to bolster the discipline. Editor Wajnberg and colleagues have compiled papers from expert international authors that provide an insightful theoretical context for designing, conducting, and evaluating needed field studies for informed decision making in biological control. Recommended." (Choice Reviews, October 2008) "The editors should be congratulated ... [this book] should provide excellent value to most academic entomologists." ( British Journal of Entomology and Natural History)

Write a review

Biography

Eric Wajnberg is a research scientist on Behavioral Ecology at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Sophia Antipolis, France. He is a population biologist specializing in population genetics, behavioral ecology, and statistical modeling. He is also an expert in biological control, with more than 20 years experience of working with insect parasitoids. Carlos Bernstein is a research scientist on Behavioral Ecology at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Villeurbanne, France. He is a parasitoid behavioral ecologist whose main center of interest is to enquire how individual behavior translates into population processes. He leads a multidisciplinary research group that combines theoretical research and mathematical modeling with field and laboratory experimentation. Jacques van Alphen is a professor of Animal Ecology at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands. He is an expert in the behavioral ecology and life-history evolution of parasitoids. His current research is conducted on four host-parasitoid systems at the University of Leiden.